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Festival-goers filed in to eat some barbecue, pet animals, hula hoop, watch wrestling and listen to some live music. Dietz Field at Hendersonville High School was filled with new cars, hammocks, grills and a sense of excitement as people with empty stomachs lined up to chow down on some barbecue.

The idea to start the event came from Les Boyd of Boyd Automotive, and the fundraiser has been a success for the Henderson County Education Foundation. Before the event started four years ago, the foundation did barbecues that were spread out at smaller schools around the county.

The united event has taken off and has become a strong fundraiser for the educational cause.

“It's been a good community event,” said Dr. Don Jones, executive director for the foundation. “What's really exciting is that it's grown every year.”

The event had 26 cooks this year, including Okie Dokies from Swannanoa.

“It's just a good fundraiser for the Henderson County school system,” Okie Dokies owner Steve Dunning said. “That keeps us coming back.”

The festival has become more than just food.

Crowds gathered around a fence on Saturday and watched ducks, pigs and goats – named Squealing Tony Stewart, Rutter Busch, Hammy Hamlin and Piggy Gordon - race around a track. Children who picked the winners received blue ribbons.

On one end of the field was a petting zoo. On the other end was the High Velocity Wresting ring. In the middle was a stage. That variety was appealing to some people, including foundation Treasurer Steve Gwaltney, who just came out with his kids to play and enjoy the event.

“This has been great,” he said. “We spent a lot of time at the petting zoo. This is probably the best one we've been to.”

Some people came just to see what it is about. Spartanburg, S.C., resident Cynthia Zbrzney searched online, found the event and made the trek up the interstate.

“I just wanted to come and check it out,” she said. Zbrzney and her 6-year-old grandson, Hunter Thomas, hit the petting zoo and the barbecue first thing.

<p>There were lots of things to do at the 4th Annual Henderson County Boyd BBQ Expo on Saturday.</p><p>Festival-goers filed in to eat some barbecue, pet animals, hula hoop, watch wrestling and listen to some live music. Dietz Field at Hendersonville High School was filled with new cars, hammocks, grills and a sense of excitement as people with empty stomachs lined up to chow down on some barbecue.</p><p>The idea to start the event came from Les Boyd of Boyd Automotive, and the fundraiser has been a success for the Henderson County Education Foundation. Before the event started four years ago, the foundation did barbecues that were spread out at smaller schools around the county. </p><p>The united event has taken off and has become a strong fundraiser for the educational cause.</p><p>“It's been a good community event,” said Dr. Don Jones, executive director for the foundation. “What's really exciting is that it's grown every year.”</p><p>The event had 26 cooks this year, including Okie Dokies from Swannanoa. </p><p>“It's just a good fundraiser for the Henderson County school system,” Okie Dokies owner Steve Dunning said. “That keeps us coming back.”</p><p>The festival has become more than just food.</p><p>Crowds gathered around a fence on Saturday and watched ducks, pigs and goats – named Squealing Tony Stewart, Rutter Busch, Hammy Hamlin and Piggy Gordon - race around a track. Children who picked the winners received blue ribbons. </p><p>On one end of the field was a petting zoo. On the other end was the High Velocity Wresting ring. In the middle was a stage. That variety was appealing to some people, including foundation Treasurer Steve Gwaltney, who just came out with his kids to play and enjoy the event.</p><p>“This has been great,” he said. “We spent a lot of time at the petting zoo. This is probably the best one we've been to.”</p><p>Some people came just to see what it is about. Spartanburg, S.C., resident Cynthia Zbrzney searched online, found the event and made the trek up the interstate.</p><p>“I just wanted to come and check it out,” she said. Zbrzney and her 6-year-old grandson, Hunter Thomas, hit the petting zoo and the barbecue first thing. </p><p>And that is why Jones enjoys the event so much.</p><p>“It's a family event,” he said.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>